National Custody Seminar

The seventh National Custody Seminar and exhibition was held on Tuesday 12 and Wednesday 13 September at the Hilton Hotel Warwick/Stratford-Upon-Avon.

The event considered key issues affecting police custody both now and in the future as well as encouraged and developed the sharing of best practice in this key area of police operations. Matters discussed and debated this year included:

PACE changes arising from the Police and Crime Act

the Home Secretary’s Independent Review of deaths and serious incidents in police custody

the NPCC’s National Custody Strategy

improving safety in police custody environments

learning the lessons from serious incidents and investigations

safeguarding the rights of suspects and victims.

Guest speakers included:

IPCC Chief Operating Officer Ian Todd who spoke about the organisation’s forthcoming reforms and their effect on police custody

Advanced drug practitioner Jamie Thompson who highlighted the issues with detainees on drugs and those trying to conceal drugs

LSE legal and bail expert Professor Michael Zander

Criminal defence lawyer Susan Freeburn.

There were also representatives from organisations including the College of Policing, HMIC, the CPS, the Superintendents’ Association, the National Appropriate Adult Network (NAAN) and Headway, the brain injury charity.

This annual event has developed an excellent reputation for consistently delivering quality content that is highly relevant to those working in and around police custody and the many challenges that they face looking ahead - we look forward to hosting next year's National Custody Seminar!